DA: Shooter's iPhone May Contain 'Cyber Pathogen'

San Bernardino County DA Mike Ramos claims the San Bernardino shooter may have a left a dangerous "cyber pathogen" in his iPhone. (John Valenzuela/The Sun via AP)

(Newser)
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A local prosecutor has offered an unusual justification for forcing Apple to help hack an iPhone used by a San Bernardino mass killer: The phone might have been "used as a weapon" to introduce malicious software to county computer systems. San Bernardino County DA Michael Ramos tells the AP that there's no evidence of malicious software in the county's computer network. But he adds, "I wouldn't call it a total hypothetical." Computer security experts say the prospect is unlikely. By late Friday, the prosecutor's claim had sparked a wave of social media postings, many of which mocked the DA's use of the non-technical term "cyber pathogen" to describe the supposed malware.

The idea that shooter Syed Farook might have used the phone to transmit a "lying-dormant cyber pathogen" into county data systems is a new one. Ramos' office, however, cited it in a court filing Thursday among several other reasons to support the government's position. One software expert who signed a brief in support of Apple calls Ramos' statements "misleading" and "blatant fear mongering." A computer security expert says that while "it's definitely possible," it doesn't seem likely, as iPhone operating systems are relatively closed environments. Meanwhile, Ramos says anyone who mocks the term "cyber pathogen" is "mocking the victims of this crime, of this horrible terrorist attack." (Read more San Bernardino shooting stories.)

"Ramos says anyone who mocks the term "cyber pathogen" is "mocking the victims of this crime, of this horrible terrorist attack."" Oh please. No they are not. They are mocking you and your ignorant, made-up theory.

Donar

Mar 6, 2016 9:52 AM CST

Typical political vulture, can't do his job so starts spreading manure hoping to grow an excuse.

$82496178

Mar 6, 2016 6:24 AM CST

Those who side with Apple, suffer from post-JFK conspiracy syndrome. They are obsessed with their privacy and security, and are convinced that the government is out to get them. This is the same government which cannot seem to accomplish much of anything, without falling all over itself. Meanwhile, Apple and its camp followers studiously ignore the reality, which is that a real, proven enemy is operating right in our own environment: Islamic terrorism. ISIS and its confederates have proven their intent to kill as many of us as it can, by whatever means possible. Evidently, Apple and its acolytes are more concerned with inventing enemies, than with seeing the real enemies in front of our noses. Democratic government is not just about rights. Its also about responsibilities. If Apple and its cohorts had been in charge on December 7th, 1941, Japan would have won World War Two.